Getting to the Core of Comprehensiveness

Written by HEAL

Created: 28 February 1994

Canadians appreciate and value their health system, but they recognize that the broadly cast division of powers between the federal and the pmvincial and tenitorial governments is not enough. There is an underdeveloped social consensus that a more precise role is needed for governments in health and health care. Developing a consistent definition of comprehensive health services offers an opportunity to develop that consensus as a stepping-stone to revitalizing our health system. HEAL is concerned about the ad hoc manner by which the comprehensiveness of benefits is currently determined. Therefore, HEAL proposes a fresh look at comprehensiveness, a look that will place all health services '(i.e., curative, palliative, restorative, preventive and promotive) and all settings (including the home, the community and institutions) on a level playing field for funding support.